Druento: Churches, Villa and La Mandria Nature Park

In Druento, the cultural and historical story ranges from medieval church connections to 19th-century architecture. At the same time, Parco Naturale La Mandria offers its own perspective on nature and outdoor activities. The sites differ not only in period and subject, but also in their access arrangements—a key point when planning your stay.

Villa, garden and royal building history

Villa dei Laghi is located in the municipality of Druento, on Rotta Bottion, on a peninsula in the centre of Lago Grande. It was built between 1863 and 1868 at the request of King Vittorio Emanuele II as a hunting retreat. Its design combines Neo-Medieval and Neo-Renaissance elements. The garden features English lawns and landscaped woodland; it was designed by landscape architect Pietro Porcinai. The villa thus brings together architecture and a designed landscape as two distinct aspects of the same estate.

Cascina Vittoria is also associated with building projects from the time of Vittorio Emanuele II: it was completed between 1860 and 1863 and was one of the first projects he commissioned. Today, it is a breeding centre for the Cavallo Agricolo Italiano – TPR. This horse breed is considered Italy’s only native draught horse breed. The Cascina’s historical association and its present-day function give the site two distinct themes.

Churches, frescoes and different phases of construction

Chiesa di San Giuliano was built in the 12th century and was associated with the property of the Benedictine Abbey of San Giacomo di Stura. It contains a well-preserved fresco cycle dating from 1493, recently restored. The access restrictions are important when planning your visit: the church is normally closed. It opens for guided tours by reservation and during the Festa di San Giuliano, held on the last Sunday in August. The festival seeks to recreate the atmosphere of past centuries in the still well-preserved Ricetto di San Giuliano.

The history of Chiesa di Santa Maria della Stella spans several widely separated dates. It was built in 1295 as a new, larger church outside the settlement. In 1674, it was demolished and rebuilt on an expanded plan, with three naves, an apse and seven altars. The church also contains a fresco of the Madonna delle Grazie with the Infant Jesus, dated 1494. The fresco therefore belongs to an earlier period than the church’s reconstruction.

Chiesa di San Sebastiano dates from the second half of the 16th century and has a central nave and two side aisles. Its artworks include a wooden statue of San Sebastiano, carved around 1765 in the Piedmontese Baroque style. Cappella di San Rocco has different visitor arrangements: it is usually closed and opens for the Festa di Borgo San Rocco.

Historic centre and nature experiences

Druento’s historic centre lies on a hill. There you will find Chiesa di San Michele and the remains of the old castle; the hill is surrounded by the Rio Fellone. The church, castle remains and river are the defining features of this historic setting.

Parco Naturale La Mandria offers guided tours on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or by carriage. The Percorso A tutta la Mandria trail leads to Cascina Rubbianetta, home of the Centro Internazionale del Cavallo. The nature park preserves the most significant remaining part of a lowland forest in northern Italy; its habitats make it a European Special Area of Conservation. The park therefore offers several distinct nature and activity experiences: guided tours, a trail with a named destination, and the particular importance of its woodland habitat.

Cancello di Druento is an entrance to Parco Naturale La Mandria on Via Medici del Vascello–Ponte sul Ceronda; free parking is available there. The park’s enclosed area is freely accessible at no charge during opening hours. Check the current opening hours before your visit. This allows you to take the park’s access arrangements into account when planning, without confusing them with the limited visiting opportunities at individual churches.

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For the main travel overview: Turin.